Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Ankara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Ankara or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ankara and Istanbul. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ankara or Istanbul?
Ankara
Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Istanbul.
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Ankara Prices
Turkey PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAnkara $97Istanbul $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $97, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $157. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Ankara and Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAnkara $39Istanbul $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAnkara $78Istanbul $146
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Ankara or Istanbul? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Ankara Hotel Prices and Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ankara $26Istanbul $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Ankara:
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Metro Ride$0.03
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Short Taxi Ride$0.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:
- Private Transfer Ankara Esenboga Airport ESB to Keçiören Ankara: $40
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Ankara Airport to Cankaya Hotels: $41
- Ankara Esenboga Airport to City Hotels Transfer: $46
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $50
- Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $52
- Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $52
- Ankara Airport & Hotel Transfers: $56
- Ankara Airport Transfer: Ankara by Private Luxury Vehicle: $63
- Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
- Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $110
- Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $110
- Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $35
- Airport Transfer: $62
- Airport Transfer to Istanbul City with Minivan: $70
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Business Car: $70
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Luxury Van: $75
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW by Business Car: $68
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW by Luxury Van: $74
- Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $70
- Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul by Business Car: $68
- Airport transfer Istanbul: $58
- Arrival Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $68
- Arrival Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Luxury Van: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul and Ankara change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAnkara $39Istanbul $58
Typical Food Prices in Ankara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:
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A Quick Lunch$0.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ankara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ankara.
- Baklava Cooking Class: $61
- Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family: $70
- Sustainable Home Cooking Class in Ankara: $85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Food Tour 30 Tasting Stops with Audio Maps Written Guide: $8.00
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Bosphorus Night Cruise: Dinner, Drinks & Hotel Pickup: $29
- Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus View Tavern Dinner & Belly Dance Show: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show in Istanbul: $30
- İstanbul Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show - Pvt. Table: $30
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $31
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $32
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkis Night Show in Istanbul: $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ankara $23Istanbul $38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara
Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Underground City$0.17
Tours and Activities in Ankara
Here are a few actual costs in Ankara for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Secrets of Ankara Exploration Game Tour: $23
- Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Local: $27
- Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $34
- Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $35
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Ankara Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $39
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $41
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $66
- 6-Hour Private Tour with Guide, Car, and Lunch: $175
- Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $185
- Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour: $300
- Full Day Cappadocia Private Tour: $300
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Istanbul Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.47
- Highlights of Istanbul Walking Tour: $3.48
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Istanbul Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.51
- Istanbul's Karaköy Neighbourhood: A Self-Guided Photography Tour: $6.79
- Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour in Istanbul: $6.96
- Walking Tour in Istanbul with Audio and Written Guide Old City: $8.00
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide: $8.12
- Bosphorus Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $9.00
- Istanbul Istiklal Street Story Self Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.99
- Ihlamur Pavilion Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Guide: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAnkara $10Istanbul $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $17
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $30
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $208
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Ankara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ankara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ankara and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul than you might in Ankara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ankara Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ankara or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ankara. When comparing the sizes of Ankara and Istanbul, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.